The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties

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Overview

While the midlife crisis has been thoroughly explored by experts, there is another landmine period in our adult development, called the quarterlife crisis, which can be just as devastating. When young adults emerge at graduation from almost two decades of schooling, during which each step to take is clearly marked, they encounter an overwhelming number of choices regarding their careers, finances, homes, and social networks. Confronted by an often shattering whirlwind of new responsibilities, new liberties, and new options, they feel helpless, panicked, indecisive, and apprehensive.

Quarterlife Crisis is the first book to document this phenomenon and offer insightful advice on smoothly navigating the challenging transition from childhood to adulthood, from school to the world beyond. It includes the personal stories of more than one hundred twentysomethings who describe their struggles to carve out personal identities; to cope with their fears of failure; to face making choices rather than avoiding them; and to balance all the demanding aspects of personal and professional life. From “What do all my doubts mean?” to “How do I know if the decisions I’m making are right?” this book compellingly addresses the hardest questions facing young adults today.

Quarterlife Crisis

Praise

“The worst year of my life was 26. The second-worst was 24. I had no idea, until now, that my funky period was part of a larger pattern. Finally, a book that explains my quarterlife crisis.”—Joe Klein, author of Primary Colors

Table of Contents

Introduction: What Is the Quarterlife Crisis?Why Worry About a Quarterlife Crisis?How Do You Recognize a Quarterlife Crisis?What Do You Do About the Quarterlife Crisis?

One: How Am I Supposed to Figure Out Who I Really Am?“So, What Do You Do?”What Now?Compromising PositionsFinding a PassionKeeping the FaithTrial and ErrorChanging Their MindsJob-HoppingConstant Evolution

Two: What If I’m Scared to Stop Being a Kid?End of the InnocenceAre We There Yet?The Parent TrapInescapable InfluenceThe Times They Are A-Changin’

Three: What If I Fail?Ready, Set, FailGoing After the DreamAbort MissionPlan BAdvice from the Pros

Four: What Do All of These Doubts Mean?Doubts and QuestionsWorking ProblemsSocial AdjustmentsOverwhelming FactorsAnchors AweighDashed ExpectationsParadise LostTrying Out TherapyBrushing It Off

Five: How Do I Know If the Decisions I’m Making Are the Right Ones?Moving Right AlongHow Do I Know If I’m Sure About Somebody?Gut InstinctGray MatterGoing with It

Six: How Do I Work Out the Right Balance Among My Career, Friends, Family, and Romance?Stuff HappensWork Won’t Make You Coffee in the MorningWhen Love Comes to TownStress FracturesThe Balancing Act

Seven: Can I Carry Any Part of My College Experience into the Real World?Six Degrees of SeparationBatting for the MajorsLook at All the Lonely PeopleLifestyle ChangesContinuing EducationWhat You Can Take with You